kukoamine-a and Disease-Models--Animal

The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism underlying the effects of Kukoamine A (KuA) treatment on endotoxin-induced lung injury/inflammation. The study was performed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed mouse models of lung injury and LPS-induced alveolar epithelial cell model. Relevant kits were used to detect levels of inflammation-related indicators, oxidative stress indicators, and mitochondrial function. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was to detect lung injury. Then, C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) overexpression plasmid was transfected into alveolar epithelial cells to investigate the mechanism of KuA in lung injury. The results showed that LPS induction increased the expression of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress markers, and mitochondrial dysfunction in both animal and cellular models. In the mouse model, KuA treatment improved lung tissue injury, decreased wet-to-dry ratio and MPO levels, reduced the expression of inflammatory factors, and ameliorated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. The protective effect of KuA in the cell model remained whereas was markedly reversed after CCR5 overexpression. Taken together, KuA might improve LPS-induced lung injury by inhibiting CCR5. This might also provide a novel theory for KuA in the treatment of lung injury.

Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharides; Lung; Mice; Oxidative Stress; Receptors, CCR5; Receptors, Chemokine; Spermine

Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a prominent side effect of radiotherapy for cranial tumors. Kukoamine A (KuA) has the ability of anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate whether KuA would prevent the detrimental effect of ionizing radiation on hippocampal neurons. For this study, male Wistar rats were received either sham irradiation or whole brain irradiation (30 Gy single dose of X-rays) followed by the immediate injection of either KuA or vehicle intravenously. The dose of KuA was 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg respectively. The protective effects of KuA were assessed by Nissl staining. The levels of oxidative stress marker and antioxidants activities were assayed by kits. TUNEL staining was performed to detect the level of apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins as well as the brain-derived neurophic factor (BDNF) was evaluated by western blot. Whole brain irradiation led to the neuronal abnormality and it was alleviated by KuA. KuA decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level, increased glutathione (GSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as alleviated neuronal apoptosis by regulating the expression of cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome C, Bax and Bcl-2. Additionally, KuA increased the expression of BDNF. These data indicate that KuA has neuroprotective effects against RIBI through inhibiting neuronal oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Brain Injuries; Disease Models, Animal; Male; Neurons; Neuroprotective Agents; Oxidative Stress; Radiation Injuries; Rats, Wistar; Spermine; Superoxide Dismutase